The Italian

Her face lights up when she sees me. “I didn’t know where you were.”

“I had to take a call.” I put my arm around her and lead her back up the stairs. “Come… back to bed.” I kiss her temple. “We have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, remember?”

She looks up at me with a beautiful smile. “How could I forget?”

Olivia

I roll over in the darkness. It’s late… or should I say early? With the shutters down I have no idea. I hear a creak and I frown.

I know that creak.

That’s the creak of the bottom step.

I sit up in bed.

Someone’s in the house.

30

Olivia

I sit still in the darkness and listen. I glance over to Enrico who is fast asleep beside me. He’s been restless all night and has only just drifted off.

Silence.

I slowly get up and tiptoe over to the door. I quietly close it and flick the lock.

My heart is hammering hard in my chest. I stand and listen.

I hear another creak and I know that creak is near the top step.

I run to Enrico. “Wake up.”

“Huh?”

“Someone’s in the house.”

“Huh?”

“I heard the step creak.”

He launches out of bed and grabs a gun from his top drawer. “Get dressed.” He quickly dials a number on his phone.

I look down to see I’m naked.

Shit.

I’m running into my wardrobe when I hear him whisper, “C’è qualcuno in casa.” Translation: Someone’s in the house.

He walks up behind me. “Go into the bathroom and lock the door. Do not come out,” he whispers.

“Yes, let’s go.” I grab my nightgown and run to the bathroom. He hands me a gun.

“Keep the door locked, and if anyone comes in here, don’t ask questions. You shoot to kill.”

“What? Where are you going?” I look down at the gun in my hand with wide eyes. It’s heavy, made of cold, black metal. It’s designed to take a life.

“I’ll be back in a minute.”